The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-09-28
FARM NOTES.

The theory that lima beans will germin-
ate IL placed on the ground edgewise is re-
futed by Prof. Halsted, who has conducted
q series of experiments in order to dsterm-
inc the claim. He is Of the opinion that
the seeds should be laid fiat on their sides.
By ploughing two burrows on each side of
the hedge not only will the roots be short
ened but the looseniDg of the soil will ben
eft the hedge as well as clean the surface
of the ground. While hedge fence well
kept is very attractive, the harboring of
weeds at its base makes the farm very un-
slightly.
Old bones and old cast-away shoes put
on pile of dried brush the trimmings of
trees and vines, with any half-rotted wood
around the place, and the whole converted
into ashes, Will make an excellent fertilizer
for the garden. A little limestone. IL OBJ
tainable, added to the pile, will increase
the value of the remains"
Where old peach trees have borne but
little fruit, and the main limbs show evil
dences of decay, cut them back so as to al
low for an entire new growth. Provided
the borer be not allowed to establish itself,
and the soil be kept clean, the peach tree
will endure any amount of cutting back.
Wood ashes should be used freely in the
peach orchard, and ground bone applied
once yesr.
The fence corners are the pest-holes of
the farm. From them spring nearly all
the weed seeds and undesirable grasses
which are scattered over the fields. Rail
feIces are expensive on account of the
ground they occupy and the weeds they
protect. If necessary, the hoe should be
brought into requisition to clean out the
spaces along the fence.
It it useless to save seed from large,
frst-class melons If more varieties than
one ere growing on the same location, as
no reliability can be placed on such seed
next season. Not only will varieties of
wateTmelons mix. but it is unsafe to grow
them in the siShborhood of pumpkins.
Corn OF diiferel varieties will also mix,
even when seps -ated at great distances.
Prof. Z, w. ST. yart says that one ounce
or less of oil al to gallon of warm
sweet whey VIII make it nearly equal in
feeding value 10 whole milk for raising OF
a calf to three weeks old, and after that
another quarter of an ounce may be safely
added. The oil meal should be dissolved
in hot whey before mixing with that of
the right temperature to feed.
An inquirer asks how to destroy the
Canada thistle. AS stated previously, they
must be kept down as fast as they appear.
By preventing growth of leaves 1.-THE lungs
OF plants) they will be smothsred. It is
persistent plant, and two or three seasons
msy be required to eradicate it, but il the
young shoots are destroyed as soon as they
appears the plant cannot 1--we.
The old strawberry beds produce fruit
little earlier than do the plants of the first
years growth. The old beds will require
handwriting In the rows If the grass and
weeds are to be removed. If this be not
done, the seeds of weeds will be left to
H. - MIA A~k
the rows well and train the runners in
close to the rows il q thick bed of plants be
desired.
Sheep that areEiccustomed to a shed will
run to it of their own accord when it rains,
and it is well that they should, says a
writer. Wafer never yet did sheep good,
externally administered. No sheep is bet
ter for q wetting, but rather worse, no mat
ter what the time of year. The wool in a
mans coat is injured by rain, and so, only
to a less degree, perhaps is the living fibre
on the sleeps back.
Wire grass is pest that proves very
troublesome. as every joint produces
new plant. If it overruns field the surest
mode Of killing it is TO keep the ground
well shaded with some thickly-growing
crop, such as millet, buckwheat or peas.
Wire grass delights in plenty of sunlight.
If it becomes Ihickly rooted the ground
should be ploughed and narrowed, aud
shading crop put on as soon after as
possible.
Do not attempt to use kerosene and
water together as the two liquids will not
mix. Hence some plants may be sprayed
with pure kerosene, and others with the
water. If the kerosene be first mixed with
milk or strong soapsuds, and water then
added, an emulsion may be obtained that
will be we'll mixed. Many plants are often
killed by improper modes of making the
emulsion, and too much care in regard to
the use of kerosene cannot be taken.
The proof is within easy reach that three
acres, two acres, and even one acre of good
land can be made to grow all the grain and
| forage any COW can eat in 365 days. aud
| her skim milk or whey will pay for all the
foreign substance she needs 10 balance the
ration that the land produces. The one,
two or three acres will be required accord
| ing to the present condition of the farm,
snd the degree Of intelligence and energy
there is in the man or woman at the helm.